Dreaming of Chicago While Sitting in Urbandale and Listening to Parlours

I have never lived anywhere in my life but the greater Des Moines area.  To some that may seem lame, to others probably kind of awesome.  In reality it falls somewhere in the middle.  I can say without a doubt that I haven’t experienced enough of other areas; their people, their customs, their culture, etc.  But I am also comfortable being a part of a city (or I guess suburb of a city) that is growing in the ways that Des Moines is growing.   I could go on and on about all the great things Des Moines has to offer, but there is a blog that does that better than I could solo (and you’re reading it!). I guess why I mention this is that since I don’t know a lot about other communities intimately, I wonder how similar the music community is in each.  I don’t mean stylistically, I mean collaboratively.

Take for example Scott Yoshimura. He is probably best known for being the drummer of the Envy Corps, one of the most popular bands in the area.  He is so much more than just a percussionist, though.  He is involved in his own singer-songwriter project, Canby, that has released a full length album.  He is also part of a multi-instrumental folk project, Parlours, which may just be the most gifted project he is involved in.

Now, since I am not well traveled,  I have no real frame of reference, but it sure seems like this town is full of acts that are as much a collaboration of overly hard working musicians who aren’t settled on just one style or one artistic expression.  That one trait, rejection of artistic laziness, in and of itself, seems to be a unique Iowa characteristic and one that maybe sets apart this music scene from other towns of this size or bigger.  The pure desire to collaborate and express oneself through as many projects as possible seems like a truly Midwest, almost small town ideal.  Which is one of the great things about Des Moines, big city amenities and small town ideals. Although, again I am maybe just guessing here and I’m sure some of the more learned of my readership can set me straight.

This is a very roundabout way of saying I really like Parlours and think everyone should listen to them.  They are the type of act where a bunch of talented people who aren’t willing to settle for something sub-par go out and record a few songs, and then just keep making more and more music together because what they‘re producing is such high quality.  Parlours is a band full of love stories and people stories while also playing easily digestible, but not easily created, folk-pop-rock.

Parlours released a self titled EP in 2011 (author’s note: I cant believe I forgot about them in the song category in my year end column, but I kind of thought the EP came out in 2010. Stupid reviewer, be more smart) that is five songs worthy of your time.  The musicianship is clear, but it would be silly of me to ignore the vocals of Dana Halferty.  While not stretching her range, she still manages to be an engaging, charismatic lead.  Her voice is equal parts sleepy and sultry.  She manages to have a whimsy and naiveté when needed, but always underscored with strength.

While each song is very good, the clear best is “I Dream of Chicago”, the duet between Halferty and Yoshimura.  This is one of those songs where the music is so perfect, that you don’t even really need to know the lyrics to understand what the song is about.  However the harmony between the two, as well as their separate verses, really drives home the sentiment.

Parlours is a perfect example of why the Des Moines scene is so great.  It is full of people like Scott Yoshimura who are unwilling to settle.  While our population may be smaller than other cities, the fact that our most talented people seem willing to do the work of three or four people sure helps us up out per capita of awesome.

Try Not To Miss Shows – 1/12 – 1/18

Daymoths w/ Dresden Style and Hearts Without People – Vaudeville Mews 1/12 10pm

Daymoths is a unique two piece band from St. Paul.  Featuring an organist and percussionist, they produce some truly interesting sounds.  Varying at times between whimsy and dread, Daymoths promise to be a very interesting show.

He’s My Brother, She’s My Sister w/ Elizabeth Arynn, Cashes Rivers and Dustin Smith and the Silos – Vaudeville Mews 1/13 – 8pm

This is about the most stacked show I’ve seen in a long time. HMBSMS is a folk rock group who put on one of the best live shows you will see.  On top of that, Cashes Rivers and Elizabeth Arynn are two of the best singer songwriters in Des Moines, which of course puts them near the top in the country.  Also, Dustin Smith and the Silos are great, too.

Asklandaganza 5 – Vaudeville Mews 1/14 – 6pm and 10pm

Two shows featuring Poison Control Center, Mantis Pincers, Seed of Something and much more.

Hamilton Loomis – Gas Lamp 1/17 – 630pm

Trained by blues legend Bo Diddley, Hamilton Loomis follows closely in his footsteps bringing a raw blues sound and strong stage show.